Commentary: Giving the FTC More Power Won’t Keep Kids Safe Online

We have seen a rise in parents concerned about social media’s impact on our children across Tennessee and America. As a proud parent and the chairman of Latinos for Tennessee, I firmly believe that parents must play a central role in ensuring the safety of our children online. I also firmly believe in states’ rights and that when it comes to enforcing legislation to protect our children, I trust Tennessee’s own Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti much more than the bureaucrat-heavy Federal Trade Commission (FTC).

I have previously written that the well-being of future generations depends on our federal representatives taking appropriate action to protect children by empowering parents. This issue has become even more pressing as children increase their daily screen time. As a leader in the Latino community, I worry because, “Latino adolescents have a higher rate of social media use” and “face greater risks of experiencing adverse mental health outcomes,” according to the Julian Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University.

Read the full story

Latinos for Tennessee Endorses Dr. Mark Green for Congress

Latinos for Tennessee PAC announced its endorsement of State Sen. Dr. Mark Green (R-TN-22) for Congress. Founded to advance faith, family, freedom and fiscal responsibility in the Latino community, the group has many members and supporters throughout the Seventh District. U.S. Representative Republican Marsha Blackburn currently holds the Seventh Congressional District seat Green wants. She is running for the U.S. Senate against Democrat Phil Bredesen. Democrat Justin Kanew is running against Green for the Seventh District seat. In announcing their endorsement, Latinos for Tennessee PAC Executive Director Raul Lopez said, “Senator Green is a selfless patriot who loves our country and has put on the uniform to fight for our precious freedoms. As a veteran himself, Senator Green understands the unique challenges our military and our veterans are facing. Our veterans and their families have had a true champion fighting for them to ensure that they receive the benefits they deserve.” Speaking about the endorsement, Green said, “Having worked closely with Latinos for Tennessee as a state senator, I’m honored to receive their endorsement. I look forward to continuing the fight alongside Latinos for Tennessee for faith, family, freedom, and fiscal responsibility.” Green’s campaign continues to pick up support in…

Read the full story

Latinos for Tennessee PAC Endorses Seven Republican Candidates

A Latino political action committee has released the names of Republican candidates it supports in Tennessee state and federal mid-term elections which will be held on Nov. 6. The Latinos for Tennessee PAC said it has endorsed: Reverend Tommy Vallejos, Tennessee House of Representatives, District 67 Brian Kelsey, Tennessee State Senate, District 31 Dr. Mark Green, U.S. Congress, District 7 Scott DesJarlais, U.S. Congress, District 4 John Rose, U.S. Congress, District 6 Marsha Blackburn, U.S. Senate Bill Lee, Tennessee governor Latinos for Tennessee Executive Director Raul Lopez said, “We are happy to support these candidates who have demonstrated their commitment to defending faith, family, freedom, and fiscal responsibility.” “I’m inspired and encouraged by each of these excellent candidates,” Lopez said. “At each level, they’re working on policies that make sense, that preserve the freedoms that make this country the land of opportunity. Members of the Hispanic community, and all citizens, want the opportunity to flourish here in Tennessee.” “We encourage all Tennesseans to vote on November 6.” Latinos for Tennessee PAC is a political action committee committed to protecting and promoting faith and family, freedom, and fiscal responsibility among Tennessee’s growing Latino population. The mission of Latinos for Tennessee is…

Read the full story

Phil Valentine, Raul Lopez Discuss Illegal Immigration at Nashville Republican Women Luncheon

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Conservative radio talk show host Phil Valentine said Wednesday that illegal immigration can easily be stopped if we “demagnetize” the U.S. “The solution is quite simple,” he said at a Nashville Republican Women’s luncheon at the Richland Country Club. In addition to not being able to get a job, people here illegally should not be able to open a bank account, take out a loan or get a credit card, Valentine said. “If you demagnetize America, like I’ve been saying for 20 years, and make it impossible for somebody to be able to function in this society unless they’re legally here, you’ve solved that problem,” he said. In recent years, a growing number of banks and financial institutions have allowed people to open accounts without requiring them to show they are in the U.S. legally. Valentine also said the diversity visa lottery is “insane.” The program allows people to immigrate, often more quickly, to the U.S. to give underrepresented countries a boost. Valentine said he favors a merit-based system, which President Trump and his allies are promoting. “If people want to come, then come to the table and tell us what you can do for us. This…

Read the full story

Latinos For Tennessee’s Raul Lopez Featured in Republican National Committee Q&A

Raul Lopez, executive director of Latinos For Tennessee, was tapped last month by the Republican National Committee to participate in a Q&A for its website on being Hispanic and Republican. “The RNC recently reached out to outstanding Hispanic leaders and asked them what being a Republican means to them,” the committee says in an introduction to the Q&A. Begun several years ago, Latinos For Tennessee is a conservative political action group. In addition to its involvement in politics, the group aims to help Hispanics in their communities by sponsoring events such as health fairs. In recent weeks, the group has helped with relief efforts for hurricane victims in Puerto Rico. However, as a conservative group, Latinos For Tennessee struggles to get funding in an environment in which most support for Hispanic groups goes to those that are progressive. Latinos For Tennessee has taken stances against sanctuary cities and in support of President Trump’s immigration policies. It also promotes family values, including traditional marriage. The group is based in Nashville but has a presence in other parts of the state. Here is the full text of Lopez’s interview with the Republican National Committee: 1. What are the 3 most important values that…

Read the full story

Latinos For Tennessee Praises Trump’s Reversal Of Obama’s Cuba Policy

Latinos For Tennessee is praising President Trump for reinstating travel and trade limitations on Cuba on Friday, overturning significant parts of former President Obama’s policy. Obama had lifted restrictions last year. Trump’s reversal will restrict tourism and ensure that U.S. dollars do not support the military conglomerate that monopolizes many sectors of the Cuban economy, according to a press release issued by Latinos For Tennessee. Raul Lopez, the executive director of the conservative group, fled Cuba as a young boy along with other members of his family as political refugees. “Today is a great day for the people of Cuba who yearn to be free,” Lopez said in a statement. “By reversing President Obama’s misguided policies, we will no longer be empowering the oppressive Castro regime. “Rather than benefiting the regime and its cronies, American involvement in Cuba should benefit the Cuban people, and pave the way for democracy, and greater economic and religious freedom on the island,” Lopez continued, adding, “The ball is in the Castro regime’s court. If they want better engagement from the United States, they have to support human rights, hold free and fair elections, and release political prisoners.” Latinos For Tennessee promotes faith, family, freedom and…

Read the full story

Raul Lopez Commentary: Religious Freedom, Not Gay Marriage, Is the Civil Rights Issue of Our Time

  By Raul Lopez June 10, 2017 LGBT activists, radical feminists, and others love to claim their cause is “the civil rights issue of today”—invoking historical comparisons between their group and the persecution Black Americans faced during the height of Jim Crow America. In fact, many of these groups have gone a step further to claim that Dr. King and other prominent civil rights leaders would readily join their side in supporting same-sex marriage. But a more careful reading reveals that this issue is a lot more nuanced than progressives would have us believe. In fact, the truth is that Dr. King and other highly respected religious leaders in the movement held traditional views on marriage. Letters, speeches and sermons left behind reveal that the civil rights leaders who fought so valiantly for equality actually held conservative positions on many social issues. All of this leads one to believe that if Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. were still alive, it’s likely that he would be standing up for another cause – a cause that was truly near and dear to his heart: religious liberty. Religious liberty is a term that gets tossed around a lot these days, but it essentially…

Read the full story

Executive Director Of Latinos For Tennessee Calls Attacks On State Senator Mark Green ‘Character Assassination’

Tennessee Star

The executive director of Latinos For Tennessee is defending state Sen. Mark Green, who has come under attack since being nominated by President Trump to be army secretary. Progressive groups have mercilessly berated Green (R-Clarksville) for his Christian views, especially as they relate to LGBT issues and Islam. In a column for The Tennessean, Raul Lopez called the attacks “character assassination” and said that Green “has dedicated much of his professional life to serving others.” “His appointment should be a proud moment for the Volunteer State that knows firsthand that Senator Green is a selfless patriot who loves our country and has put on the uniform to fight for our precious freedoms,” Lopez wrote. “But because Mark Green is a man of faith, critics are seizing on a handful of statements that are purposefully drawn out of context to paint him as intolerant of others.” Latinos For Tennessee is a conservative political advocacy group headquartered in Nashville that promotes faith, family, freedom and fiscal responsibility. Green is a retired Army officer and physician. He is getting slammed for defending traditional marriage and calling former President Obama’s promotion of transgender bathroom policies “absurd” and also for raising questions about what schoolchildren are taught about…

Read the full story

Latinos For Tennessee A Conservative ‘Voice of Reason’

  Raul Lopez quickly discovered when he began helping Republicans with Hispanic outreach that he wasn’t working on a level playing field. He was far outnumbered and outspent by Democrats trying to reach the same audience. Lopez tried to make inroads in the Hispanic community for former President George W. Bush and for Tennessee House Speaker Beth Harwell when she chaired the Tennessee Republican Party. The frustrations he experienced prompted him to start Latinos For Tennessee, a conservative political advocacy group. The group champions limited government and free markets, fiscal responsibility, immigration enforcement and traditional values. “We’re a counter voice,” Lopez told The Tennessee Star. Started four years ago, the group was organized as a political action committee with an outreach and educational wing. The group is based in Nashville and plans to expand its presence in other parts of the state. Lopez, a native of Cuba who came to the U.S. when he was five years old, is the executive director. In addition, there is an eight-member board of directors. The board chairman is Tommy Vallejos, a Clarksville pastor and Montgomery County commissioner who has announced his intention to run for state Sen. Mark Green’s vacated seat pending Green’s confirmation…

Read the full story